President Bush has vowed to veto the most recent attempt to expand the federal hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation, according to The Washington Times. White House spokesman Tony Fratto said that ' [ t ] he qualifications [ in the bill ] are so broad that virtually any crime involving a homosexual individual has potential to have hate crimes elements.' The crime measure is attached to a defense authorization bill that some feel Democrats will use in an attempt to change Iraq War policy.
In Ocean Township, N.J., the pro-gay group Garden State Equality plans to protest the school district's decision to cancel a production of The Laramie Project, the Associated Press reported. Drama coach Bob Angelini told a local newspaper that the principal's anti-gay sentiments lead to the shutting down of the play, which chronicles the murder of Matthew Shepard.
In Florida, Broward County commissioners criticized Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle over his anti-gay comments, but did not officially censure him, according to 365Gay.com . The commissioners labeled Naugle a bigot and also signed a pro-gay letter. Interestingly, Broward County has no power over Fort Lauderdale, because it is a separate city with its own council.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of anti-gay Kansas minister the Rev. Fred Phelps, has filed a constitutional challenge to a Nebraska statute that criminializes flag mutilation, according to 365Gay.com . Phelps-Roper—the attorney for and a member of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan.—was arrested after her son trampled on a U.S. flag during the church's protest at a National Guardsman's funeral.
In San Diego, Calif., four firefighters say that they were forced to participate in the city's Gay Pride Parade and were the subjects of sexually-charged remarks from the crowd, 365Gay.com reported. 'You could not even look at the crowd without getting some kind of sexual gesture. If any crew member were to hang up pictures at the station of what we saw, we would be disciplined,' said one of the firefighters, who have all hired the Michigan-based conservative Christian law firm Thomas More Law Center to represent them.
Speaking of Thomas More Law Center, the firm is involved in an effort to prevent instructors in Maryland's Montgomery County from teaching gay-inclusive sex-education courses, according to The Washington Blade. The law center is joining Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum; Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays; and Gays and Family Leader Network in challenging the curriculum, 'Respect for Differences in Human Sexuality.'
Glenn Murphy, who was recently elected president of the Young Republican National Federation, has resigned from his post after being accused of performing a sex act on a 22-year-old man while he slept, according to News-Tribune.net . ( However, he e-mailed media that a business opportunity prevented him from holding office. ) Murphy, the former chairman of the Clark County Republican Party in Indiana, is being investigated by the county's sheriff's department for alleged criminal deviate conduct.
In Colorado, a Catholic priest may be charged with indecent exposure after he was found jogging in the nude, the Associated Press reported. The Rev. Robert Whipkey said that he didn't think anyone would be around when he made his pre-dawn run. Whipkey will have to register as a sex offender if he is convicted of the misdemeanor.
Mike Jones, the former escort who outed the Rev. Ted Haggard of Colorado's New Life Church, has a new profession: actor. Jones will be in Perfect Disgrace Theater's play Porridge—which touches on everything from The Iraq War to disco—at Boulder's Dairy Center for the Arts on Aug. 20-26.
In Colorado, a committee at the Rev. Ted Haggard's former church has named a possible replacement, the Associated Press reported. The Rev. Brady Boyd—associate senior pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas—will deliver a series of sermons and then the members of New Life Church will vote whether to accept him. Haggard was fired after former escort Mike Jones stated that he had a three-year sexual relationship with him.
In Arlington, Texas, officials at High Point Church decided not to host Desert Storm veteran Cecil Sinclair's funeral when it became apparent that his sexual orientation would be publicized, The Dallas Morning News reported. The church's leaders, the Rev. Gary Simons, said that some of the ministry associates were surprised by some of the images selected for the services—images that showed men kissing and hugging.
A coalition of gay and straight individuals is coordinating an effort to establish a national memorial for members of the LGBT community who have been killed because of gender identity or sexual orientation. Among the honorary board members of The Gay American Heroes Foundation are actors Chad Allen, Alan Cumming and Robert Gant; U.S. Rep. Barney Frank; GLAAD's Monica Taher; and Elke Kennedy, whose son, Sean, was murdered this year, according to an organizational press release.
The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church will consider the case of Baltimore's Rev. Ann Gordon, who under medical procedures to become the Rev. Drew Phoenix, according to the Associated Press. The council, slated to meet in late October in San Francisco, will determine if a transgender minister should be reviewed.
In San Francisco, city officials have announced that there will be no official Halloween celebration in the Castro district this year, according to The Advocate. Officials had originally scheduled an alternative to the Castro celebration, which saw a shooting last year, but pulled the event due to logistics. In addition, City Supervisor Bevan Duffy has reportedly sent letters to over 100 local businesses, asking them to be closed on that holiday.
The second edition of a Jewish guide called Kulanu ( Hebrew for 'all of us' ) contains two blessings from transgender Rabbi Elliot Kukla ( born Eliza ) , according to the Associated Press. The book, which is a product of the Reform Judaism movement, also contains a liturgy for same-sex unions and a divorce decree for same-sex couples.
Families Joined by Love ( www.familiesjoinedbylove.com ) —a comprehensive bookstore and resource center for LGBT families—launched its Web site Aug. 1, a press release stated. The physical store was started in 1992.
California State Sen. Sheila Kuehl—the first openly gay or lesbian person elected to the state legislature—has announced her support of presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, according to a campaign press release. Clinton said, 'I am honored to receive the endorsement of Senator Sheila Kuehl, a strong leader in the LGBT community and an advocate for women, children and families.'
Sharon Holding, a former ad sales executive for the gay newspaper The Southern Voice, is suing the publication, claiming that she was sexually harassed and discriminated against while she was there, according to Gay City News. Among other things, Holding alleged that many of the male workers made the office atmosphere sexually charged by displaying graphic pictures and engaging in certain types of behavior.
In Tennessee, lesbian Miranda Greer told a local publication, The Jackson Sun, that an unidentified man battered her with a beer bottle at a nightclub after she told him her sexual orientation, according to Advocate.com . Although the alleged attack occurred July 15, Greer was not really concerned until she temporarily lost sight in her left eye; she soon will be examined for possible brain damage.
Tommy Tester—the minister of Gospel Baptist Church in Bristol, Va.—was charged in Tennessee with driving under the influence and indecent exposure, according to the Associated Press. Tester had on a skirt when he was arrested after reportedly urinating in front of children. In addition, police said that Tester offered to perform oral sex on the officers at the crime scene.
